At the end of our first Math Unit Kindergarteners participated in a Number Fair. The past two months we have learned all about numbers 0-10 and how to show them in different ways. For the Number Fair, students were given a paper bag containing objects totaling up to their mystery number. Once students figure out their number they have to show all the different ways to make that number. They used various tools to demonstrate their learning. When walking around my carpet you could see students using cubes on a tens frame, beans on a double hand mat, objects in a circle, a hidden number on a number path, the written numeral, and the printed numeral on a card. All of these manipulatives showed their mystery number. Once they set up their display, students practiced what they would say to their peers.
Students then spent time presenting their mystery number to a group of peers. At this time, you could hear phrases such as, “I know this is 8 because there are 5 cubes on top and 3 on the bottom. 5 and 3 make 8.” or “I know the hidden number is 6 because 5 comes before and 7 comes after.” Students enjoyed teaching their classmates and felt confident in sharing their skills, while the audience did a nice job listening and applauding their classmates for presenting to them. The Number Fair is a great way to showcase the Kindergarteners’ learning and I look forward to it each year!
